Sardinian Exploration by 4x4

Go off road in the historic region of Gallura to explore northeastern Sardinia’s diverse landscapes and the longstanding traditions of its rural villages. Hop in the 4x4 for the drive from the Gulf of Cugnana that take you up a steep and winding road to the top of Monte Moro. At 422 meters above the sea, this granitic hill offers marvelous 360-degree views of the rugged hinterland and coast, fields and plains, and the turquoise waters that surround the Maddalena Archipelago just offshore. On clear days, you can see across the Strait of Bonifacio to the southern shores of Corsica. On the descent, you’ll stop in San Pantaleo, a picturesque, traditional village set located between the mountains and the sea. One of the oldest settlements on the Costa Smeralda, it is tucked inside two granite promontories whose surfaces are covered with tafoni, small craters or potholes carved by the winds, that give them a lunar-like appearance. The location, light and unusual scenery have attracted artists, particularly painters, whose presence gives the village a bohemian vibe. During your visit, you’ll meet a local artist and learn about both the area’s production of cork, the “soft gold” found in the surrounding oak forests, and the millennia-long history of iron processing. Then it’s time to soak up the ambience in a typical caffe on the town’s pretty main piazzetta while enjoying a local beer along with cheese, cured meats and Sardinian bread.